This falls in the “arghhhhh” category.
Sometimes we try things, and they don’t prove successful.
Back when I was feeling a need to recommit to painting again, I thought I’d go big, and get out of a rut. I had just seen some gallery shows where work was displayed directly on the wall, in various ways, unframed . Suspended, from an artful rod, attached with magnets, attached directly to the wall..etc. The result was, I began to think that perhaps I could conceive of doing some paintings that wouldn’t begin with the usual process of banging stretchers together, stretching canvas, and priming it.
It was kind of liberating to just staple a large expanse of canvas on the wall and work directly on it. I thought of perhaps binding the edges in some way or sewing tabs on the top edge, hanging it from a unique rod of some kind.
But, somehow, the scale of these pieces, didn’t work flat on the wall.
So, after the fact, I decided to stretch already existing paintings. Not my favorite thing to do. But in the end, it will be a better result. Too bad some of the painting is now wrapped around the edge and no longer visible- but I’m going to remedy that.

Perhaps some time in the future, I’ll work on paper and/or do something creative about hanging or displaying them. For now, this seems like the better way to go.

P.S. Frankly, I feel somewhat annoyed that I couldn’t make this work in some new way, and it’s a nuisance to stretch an already existing painting. They just don’t like being bent around a 45degree angle. It doesn’t look as finished as if I started out stretching plenty of canvas to wrap around the back. So, now I have to slap on a frame or something to make it look finished. Next time, more deliberation, or leaving a bigger margin all around! Silly me. What have you tried that didn’t quite pan out?

2 Responses to Paintings off the Wall- Don’t try this at home

Hello- I have visited your site several times now, and decided I really like your work. I spent an hour looking at your vines. I could feel the brush work, and the hours of wandering through nature shapes that you have done, to me when a painting begins to feel rather than look it has reached its best self. Really nice work. I will be back for more. Oh I like your writing too!

Thanks so much. I really like how you verbalize the difference between a painting that has the look of something, vs. one that has more depth and history. I do indeed “wander” through these a lot and always have. So much reworking and rethinking, but that’s the only way I think you arrive at painting, rather than making pictures. Whether they all get to be their “best selves”- who knows. But the best self I can make them at the time. (which is why sometimes they go up on a wall at home, and are still subject to changes.)

About the Artist

Nanci has a BFA from the University of Oregon, and an MA/MFA from University of Iowa. In addition to being a practicing artist since 1988, she has taught at colleges in Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and Colorado.
When not in the studio, you can find her in the garden, or volunteering around town.

My Work for Sale HERE

Collaboration, 30x22, charcoal/pastel

About the Art

My current work is inspired by the movement and entanglement of layered twining forms. I love creating contradictory impulses - approaching and withdrawing -overlapping and pulling apart - density and ethereality - beauty and menace.
All images are copyright the artist. No reproduction or use without permission.